Not everyone is born with a green thumb. Some among us struggle to maintain the simplest gardens. Or maybe you just don’t have the time to devote to a serious garden, but want to add some greenery to your life anyway.
But don’t let that deter you! There are plenty of plants you can grow, even if being a horticulturist isn’t in your future.
We’ve scoured the expert sites for a list of plants that can survive the most forgetful owners and dry, low-light conditions to bring you some of the best plants for beginners.
1. Aloe Vera
At the top of the list is aloe vera, and with good reason too. After all, aloe is nearly indestructible unless you try really, really hard to kill it. This makes it the perfect plant for beginners, especially if they are the forgetful kind.
Aloe thrives in almost any space, indoor or outdoor, but particularly likes bright, indirect sun. It only needs to be watered when the soil is well and fully dry, which is about once every three weeks.
2. ZZ Plant
Another forgiving plant is the ZZ or Zamioculcas Zamiifolia. ZZ thrives in indoor spaces and outdoor gardens and rarely needs to be watered. It is also exceptionally pretty to look at.
The Raven ZZ, the black version of this little beauty, is even more spectacular to look at. ZZ doesn’t like bright light and prefers shaded, low-light corners. Like aloe, it only needs to be watered once the soil is fully dry.
3. Snake Plant
Often referred to as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, the snake plant makes for a pretty addition to any space while being virtually indestructible. It grows well with or without sunlight but does prefer indirect light.
One of these plants can go weeks upon weeks without water, making it perfect for frequent travelers and forgetful plant parents.
4. Spider Plant
Spider plants are known for their resilience, making them a great plant for beginners. While they will grow almost anywhere, they are an indoor plant that does well in hanging planters in front of windows.
They prefer low or indirect light and only need to be watered weekly. However, misting them occasionally may be a good idea. Spider plants are also non-toxic to pets, unlike the previous plants on this list.
5. Cast Iron Plant
Resilient almost to a fault, cast iron plant or Aspidistra Elatior grow best in low light conditions. They require no maintenance, like at all, and only need to be watered weekly. Like the spider plant, cast iron is also non-toxic to pets.
6. Succulents
Social media has ensured they are all the rage among plant lovers and with good reason too. Succulents make for sturdy additions to plant collections whether one is a beginner or pro. There are dozens of varieties to choose from too, each prettier and more luscious than the last.
Succulents only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry, which is about once a month. In fact, one is likelier to kill one with overwatering than underwatering. They prefer bright sunlight and wintry conditions but will grow well nearly anywhere.
7. Cacti
Cacti belong to the same family as succulents and behave similarly. Considering they survive well in desert conditions, maintaining these plants will almost never be an issue.
Perfect for the forgetful among us, they barely need any water. They only need to be watered once the soil dries completely every month. They like bright light and are averse to overwatering.
8. Devil’s Ivy
Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, is also known as Devil’s Ivy because it’s unbelievably hard to kill. It likes both bright and indirect sunlight and only needs to be watered once or twice a week.
This plant also comes in multiple colorful varieties, including the yellow-green “neon”, green-white-patterned “marble queen”, and yellow and green patterned “golden.”
9. Lucky Bamboo
Lucky bamboo is so low-maintenance that you can forget it even exists for months at a time and it will still be thriving. A great indoor plant, lucky bamboo does not need soil to grow.
Just plop it in a pot of water and you’re good to go, it’s really that easy. The water needs to be changed every couple of months, though, but otherwise, it requires very little maintenance.
10. Philodendron
Philodendrons are often confused with pothos, but they are unfortunately less hardy. That said, they are still of indomitable spirit and grow well as long as you water them weekly.
They like bright light, making them a great choice for windowsill gardens. They come in various shapes and sizes, including the rojo congo, McColley’s finale, and the fernlike tortum.
11. Monstera
Monstera deliciosa (or the Swiss cheese plant) gets its name for a reason. Incredibly hardy, these grow up to be absolute monsters. It can adapt quickly to different lighting conditions but does prefer the bright sun.
Due to its resilience, forgetting to water it now and then is pretty okay. Ideally, they need to be misted regularly and watered on a weekly basis.
12. Caladium
Best for shady backyards rather than indoor gardens, caladiums are as resilient as they are beautiful. Their big, arrow-shaped leaves come in multiple brilliant hues of red, pink, and white. The white ones are especially mesmerizing since they seem to glow in the dark.
Caladiums like low light conditions and only need to be watered when the soil is fully dry.
13. First Frost Hosta
Another plant perfect for low-light gardens is the first frost hosta. The first frost variety has pretty leaves and pale lavender flowers. The plant is perfect for drier conditions and grows beautifully even without much moisture.